KeyBank Review: Account Good for You?
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Are you looking for a no-frills checking account or maybe a bank that offers relationship banking services/interest rates? You may have found your fit with KeyBank.
Overall Score | 3.3 | ||
Savings | 2.0 | ||
CD | 3.5 | ||
Checking | 3.5 | ||
Money Market | 2.5 | ||
Customer Service | 4.0 | ||
Mobile App | 4.5 | ||
Pros and Cons
- HelloWallet financial tools
- Free checking option
- 24/7 customer service
- Limited branches
- High account fees
Bottom Line
Bank with a variety of deposit products and great financial tools
This Cleveland-based bank has a large variety of checking, savings, and CD products to help you manage your money and help it grow. Whether you are just starting out and need a basic checking account or you have a lot of money to deposit and want to earn decent interest on it, KeyBank may have solutions for you.
Before you open an account, read this review to see if KeyBank is a good fit for you.
Services Offered
Checking
You can open a checking account with KeyBank online. It takes just a few minutes. They do offer a variety of ways to waive the monthly fees, and they have accounts that offer premium interest rates too. Each checking account comes with a KeyBank debit MasterCard and access to online/mobile banking.
- KeyBank Hassle-Free Account: If you've jumped on the digital bandwagon, you may love this checkless checking account. That's right—you don't get checks with this account. Instead, you have access to online bill pay and online transfers. You can even pay friends and family digitally. You need $10 to open this account, but you don't have to meet minimum balance requirements. You also won't pay a monthly maintenance fee or overdraft charges on this account.
- Key Express Checking Account: With just $50, you can open this checking account with paper checks. You can waive the monthly service fee by depositing at least $500 in your account each month or by using your account at least eight times. This checking account provides access to KeyBank's financial wellness tools.
- Key Advantage Checking Account: If you would like to earn interest on your money in your checking account, the Key Advantage account may be a good place to start. You need $50 to open the account. It's a little tough to waive the monthly fees on this one, though. You need at least $10,000 in combined KeyBank deposit accounts or have a KeyBank mortgage on autopay with at least $500 payments. KeyBank will reimburse third-party ATM fees up to $6 per month too.
- Key Privilege Checking Account: This is a relationship banking product. With this checking account, KeyBank provides you with lower rates on loans and lines of credit and higher rates on savings and CD products. KeyBank also "sweeps" your account each night, automatically depositing "unused" cash into a KeyBank savings account. In order to waive the monthly service fee, you'll need a combined deposit amount of $25,000 or automatic payments on a KeyBank mortgage of at least $500. KeyBank will also reimburse you for up to $6 per month in other banks' charges for use of their ATM.
- Key Privilege Select Checking Account: This is a premium relationship banking product. You'll have access to even lower rates on KeyBank loans and higher rates on CDs and savings products. You will need a minimum combined balance of $100,000 to waive the high monthly service fee, though. You can also have a KeyBank mortgage on autopay to waive the fee. KeyBank will send you a comprehensive bank statement, which will include all relationship banking products you have each month. You can receive unlimited reimbursement for all non-KeyBank ATM charges.
- Key Student Checking Account: Students ages 16 to 24 can open this non-interest bearing account with $50. You can waive the monthly service fee with monthly $200 deposits or at least five transactions conducted per month. Students also have access to online and mobile banking.
Compare Checking Account Promotion
Citi Priority Account - Earn up to $2,000 Cash Bonus
- Earn up to $2,000 cash bonus when you open a new eligible Citi Priority Checking Account with required activities
- Within 20 days of opening, deposit the minimum amount of new-to-Citibank funds.
- Maintain a minimum balance for 60 consecutive calendar days from the 21st day.
- If your balance falls to a lower tier at any point during the maintenance period, the bonus changes.
- Bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.
BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account - $200 Cash Bonus
Open a new BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account online and get a $200 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening. Offer is limited to one per customer and is not available for existing BMO Harris personal checking customers (including signers on joint accounts) or those who have closed a BMO Harris personal checking account within the past 12 months. Conditions apply.
U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking - Up to $600 Bonus
- Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
- Complete two or more direct deposits of $3,000 to $5,999.99 to earn $200, $6,000 to $9,999.99 to earn $400 and $10,000 or more to earn $600.
Savings
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The KeyBank savings accounts give you access to online banking and the KeyBank ATM network. Each savings account may also be used to link to your KeyBank checking account(s) to be used for overdraft protection.
- Key Active Saver Account: You can open this simple savings account with just $10. With a balance of at least $300 each month or direct deposit/automatic transfer of at least $5, you can waive the monthly service fees. You can also waive the fees by being enrolled in HelloWallet (more on that below) or having a Financial Wellness Score of at least one (more on that below).
- Key Silver Money Market Savings Account: Earn money market account rates with this savings account if you have at least $5,000 to put in the account. If you have less, you may still earn higher interest rates than a standard savings account, but it won't be the highest rate. You can waive the monthly service fee with a $5,000 daily balance, direct deposit/automatic transfers of at least $25 each month, or have a Key Advantage, Key Privilege, or Key Privilege Select Checking account.
- Key Gold Money Market Savings Account: With $25,000 to open an account, you can earn even higher interest rates on your money. You'll need to keep that $25,000 daily balance and have a KeyBank Advantage, Privilege, or Privilege Select Checking account to waive the service fee. This account also comes with check writing privileges (subject to the standard withdrawal limits on savings accounts).
- Health Savings Account: If you have high medical costs, you can save money pre-tax and withdraw the funds for approved use tax-free. If you have another KeyBank checking account, you won't pay an annual fee for this account. Without a relationship banking count, you'll pay $10 per year. You can waive the monthly service fee with a minimum $500 balance or just by having a KeyBank checking account. You must have a high deductible medical plan in order to qualify (and not be on Medicare).
- KEY4KIDS Savings Account: Kids ages 18 and under can open this savings account to learn how to start saving. They need just $10 to open the account and there is no monthly service fee. It does earn interest and they have access to online/mobile banking too.
Compare Savings Accounts
Discover Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, online, in the Discover App or by phone. Enter Offer Code CY223 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 6/15/2023, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
CIT Bank Savings Connect - 4.20% APY
- Earn 12x the national average
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
Premier Savings - Up to 4.38% APY
- 4.38% APY when you have at least $1,000 balance
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
CDs
- Key Short Term CDs: The terms range between 7 days and 6 months on these CDs. You need $2,500 to open the account. Your money will automatically roll over into another term upon maturity unless you direct the bank to do otherwise.
- Key Tiered CDs: Earn slightly more interest on CDs with terms between six months and 10 years and at least a $2,500 deposit. The interest is fixed for the term and the money will automatically roll over into another CD of the same term at the current market rate if you desire.
KeyBank is offering a great promotional rate for their 13-month, 18-month, 27-month, 37-month, and 47-month term CDs. However, a $10,000 minimum deposit is required. This cannot be funds already held in accounts at KeyBank.
- Key Jumbo CDs: If you have $100,000 or more, you can earn the highest interest rates with this CD program. It has maturity dates starting at just seven days and offers the ability to roll the money over into another equal term CD at maturity.
Compare CD Rates
CIT Bank Term CDs - Up to 4.65% APY
- Up to 4.65% APY
- $1,000 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
| Term | CD Rates |
|---|---|
| 6 Month | 4.15% APY |
| 1 Year | 0.30% APY |
| 13 Month | 4.65% APY |
| 18 Month | 4.60% APY |
| 2 Year | 0.40% APY |
| 3 Year | 0.40% APY |
| 4 Year | 0.50% APY |
| 5 Year | 0.50% APY |
Certificate of Deposit
- 4.50% APY for 12-month term
- 4.30% APY for 36-month term
- 4.10% APY for 5-year term
CD Rates - Up to 4.45% APY
- $500 minimum opening deposit
- FDIC insured
| Term | CD Rates |
|---|---|
| 6 Months | 3.75% APY |
| 1 Year | 4.45% APY |
| 2 Years | 4.40% APY |
| 3 Years | 4.30% APY |
| 5 Years | 4.30% APY |
Reasons We Like KeyBank
- Know your Financial Wellness. You can get a picture of your financial wellness with the HelloWallet service. This program gives you a Financial Wellness Score. A lower score means you have some work to do and a higher score means you are doing well financially. It's a way to motivate you to alter your saving and spending until you reach the highest Financial Wellness score.
- Lots of financial tools. You have access to a variety of tools and calculators to help you stay financially secure. A few options include an accelerated debt payoff calculator, college savings calculator, and personal debt payoff calculator, but there are seven more tools just for savings you can utilize, not to mention loan and retirement tools.
- Short-term CDs. You have access to very short-term CD options. If tying up your funds for the long term scares you, try out a short-term CD. You can earn the higher rate of interest, even if it's only for 7 days. This may motivate you to find a way to tie up a portion of your funds for longer periods to earn the higher interest.
- Relationship rates. You can increase the interest you earn just by opening a relationship account. KeyBank offers a variety of relationship accounts, some of which don't have crazy high minimum balance requirements. This gives you access to higher interest rates and more benefits than if you opened a standard checking/savings account.
- Free mobile banking. You can use the KeyBank mobile app to conduct a variety of banking transactions. This includes depositing your checks from your phone, paying bills, managing your funds, and making transfers.
- 24/7 customer service. You can contact customer service via phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 1-800-KEY2YOU to get answers to your banking questions. They also offer live chat during the hours of 7 AM to 10 PM (Monday-Friday) and 9 AM to 5:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday).
- Bank by text. You can utilize "text banking" to get quick answers about your account. You must opt into the service in your online banking portal. Once you do, you can get information on your account balances and account history.
- Overdraft protection services. You can set up overdraft protection in four ways. You can link a KeyBank savings account, apply for a KeyBank Preferred Credit Line, link your KeyBank credit card, or link your KeyBank Home Equity Line of Credit to your checking account. If you spend more than your checking account balance, KeyBank will take the funds from your linked account. This prevents the risk of overdraft charges and/or bounced checks.
- FDIC Insured. Your money is protected with FDIC insurance. Each account has coverage up to $250,000; should KeyBank go out of business, your money is protected.
Reasons You May Want to Look Elsewhere
- High service fees. The monthly service fees on KeyBank's checking accounts are generally higher than other banks. If you don't meet the requirements to waive the fee a few times a year, the fees can really eat at your profits, defeating the purpose of trying to earn interest on your money.
- Accessibility. If you don't live in one of the 16 states they are located in, you can't open an account. KeyBank is located in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
- Miscellaneous banking fees. KeyBank tends to charge excessive fees. Make sure you read the fine print on your chosen account, as you could end up paying for paper statements, using a non-KeyBank ATM, and other standard banking transactions.
Your KeyBank routing number will depend on the state you opened the account in. You can find your routing number on the bottom left-hand side of your checks.
How It Compares
Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo has more than 10 times the number of ATMs as KeyBank and they are located in 39 states. Like KeyBank, Wells Fargo offers 24/7 customer service. Wells Fargo does have fewer options for a savings account than KeyBank and their interest rates tend to be low, as is common for big-name banks.
PNC:
Located on the East Coast, PNC is focused on helping clients budget their money. They offer what they call the Virtual Wallet, which is a checking, savings, and money market account. They are also the most common bank to be found on college campuses, and they try to heavily influence college students to learn and understand how to save, budget, and invest.
You might also consider:
Discover Online Savings - $150 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, online, in the Discover App or by phone. Enter Offer Code CY223 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 6/15/2023, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
Online Savings Account - Earn 3.60% APY
- No fees
- No minimum opening deposit
- No minimum balance required
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.40% APY
- 4.40% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
- 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a mid-size bank with good customer service and a decent number of deposit accounts, you may have found your fit with KeyBank. As long as you live in one of the 15 states that the bank resides in and you understand the costs involved with each account, it could be a viable way to help you get control of your finances.
Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
- Access to more than 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won't charge an Insufficient Funds Fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.
Citi Priority Account - Earn up to $2,000 Cash Bonus
- Earn up to $2,000 cash bonus when you open a new eligible Citi Priority Checking Account with required activities
- Within 20 days of opening, deposit the minimum amount of new-to-Citibank funds.
- Maintain a minimum balance for 60 consecutive calendar days from the 21st day.
- If your balance falls to a lower tier at any point during the maintenance period, the bonus changes.
- Bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.
CIT Bank Savings Connect - 4.20% APY
- Earn 12x the national average
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
Discover Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, online, in the Discover App or by phone. Enter Offer Code CY223 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 6/15/2023, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
Business Checking - Up to 2.0% APY
- 2.0% APY on your balance up to $100,000 for customers that meet monthly eligibility requirements
- $0 minimum opening deposit
- $0 monthly service fee
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